Ok so let’s get real. With just 7 days til Christmas I’m not going to try and persuade you to get started on a new exercise regime or change your eating habits.  It’s just not going to happen.  Nor am I going to advise you not to mix your drinks or to avoid salty snacks.

So what do I want you to do this week?

Eat your vegetables – eat lots of them!

Some of the most important nutrients your body needs to stay healthy come from vegetables.  They’re a great source of vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre and they support an array of bodily functions including hormone balance.

Colourful vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots and peppers are packed with carotenoids. That means they support your eyesight, improve your skin’s resistance to UV light and help to fight free radical damage.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower are superstars in the vitamin and mineral arena and act as a powerful antioxidant.

Dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach are rich in vitamins E & K. Vitamin E helps with tissue repair and healing and also slows the aging process. Vitamin K has an important role in blood clotting and aids bone formation.

It’s so easy to knock up a vegetable soup and it’s really quick too. It takes less than half an hour to prepare and cook one of my energizing, vibrant veg soups which is why they’re one of my favourite meals to batch cook.

Here’s one I made this morning:

Energizing Veg Souphome veg

  • 1 celeriac, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, grated
  • 1 small cauliflower, chopped
  • 2 leeks, chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 2 parsnips, chopped
  • 1 veg stock cube
  • pinch of chilli powder
  • salt &pepper
  • mixed herbs

 

  1. Gently fry the leeks and celery sticks in a large pan until soft
  2. Add 2 pints of water and bring to the boil
  3. Add carrots, cauliflower, parsnips and celeriachome veg soup
  4. Pour in extra water until the vegetables are covered
  5. Add, veg stock cube, chilli powder and mixed herbs according to taste
  6. Season with salt and pepper
  7. Turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes
  8. Blitz with a hand whisk or food processor to desired consistency

Serves 8 – 10 portions

Enjoy!

If you’ve got a favourite quick and easy recipe don’t be shy, share it on my Facebook page!